CM Punk Vs. Ryback Set For First WWE RAW Of 2013

The bad news for WWE fans a few weeks back was that the highly anticipated Ryback vs. CM Punk match was pulled from TLC 2012 due to Punk’s injury. The good news is that they will not only get to see the rematch but they will get to see it for free on the first Monday of 2013.

While Ryback’s push was certainly a polarizing topic among fans, the vast majority of WWE fans were excited about his series with Punk. A better than expected Hell in a Cell buyrate ensured a one-on-one rematch that was never to be. The WWE will either write another chapter or close the book on January 7, 2013.

The match was set up on the live edition of this week’s WWE SmackDown. Ryback confronted Punk who demanded his promised championship match and said he wanted it on the January 7 2013 edition of WWE Monday Night RAW. In a segment taped for next week’s RAW it was confirmed that the match would be the same Tables, Ladders, and Chairs match that Ryback was promised at TLC.

The match seems like a RAW ratings home run before you look at the television schedule for January 7. RAW will be going head-to-head with the BCS championship game. RAW always takes a hit from the BCS title game but when you add Notre Dame to the mix, RAW has the potential to get slaughtered. It is certainly a risky proposition putting such a high profile match on a night where you know you will be losing a big chunk of your audience.

The obvious result here is Punk going over. Plans are already set in motion for Punk vs. The Rock at the 2013 Royal Rumble. But does the WWE shock the world on this night? Could they swerve everyone and put the title on Ryback to try and steal some of the BCS audience and get some attention? I do think Punk goes over but I wouldn’t be shocked to see some kind of one-two week title reign from Ryback. They could even put the match on early to get some attention and put it back on Punk by the end of the night. In other words I don’t think the result is as predictable as people really think it is.

It is also important to note that The Rock will be in the house that night. I don’t think anyone thinks for a second that he won’t be involved in the finish of this match. Another idea here could be The Rock interfering and backfiring on Ryback with The Shield involved. Regardless I think the Rock vs. Punk story is advanced somehow as a result of this match.

Unfortunately the window of opportunity has closed on Ryback. I thought they should have capitalized while he was red hot and put the title on him at Hell in a Cell and give it back to Punk by the Rumble. Ryback has already lost to Punk and just came out of TLC a loser. A clean loss here would be tough for Ryback to recover from, yet at the same time it isn’t worth it for the WWE to completely change plans and make the switch.

Eric is the owner and editor-in-chief of the Camel Clutch Blog. Eric has worked in the pro wrestling industry since 1995 as a ring announcer in ECW and a commentator/host on television, PPV, and home video. Eric also hosted Pro Wrestling Radio on terrestrial radio from 1998-2009. Check out some of Eric's work on his IMDB bio and Wikipedia. Eric has an MBA from Temple University's Fox School of Business.

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